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Puerto Rican Christmas

Schuttzie
#1
I just read an article that is very heartwarming about what some traditions were like PR at Christmas time. 

http://www.elboricua.com/pr_christmas.html
See also
ReyP
#2
It brought tears to my eyes. I miss it. The article is right on!
Maybe next year I will also celebrate the traditional holidays with my grandkids, oldest son, and my brother that all live in PR.

I also remember a guy dressing up like a jibaro including the pava and machete, wearing a cardboard horse custume around his waist and making pretent he was riding a horse.

I miss it all.
Feliz Navidad y Dia de Reyes.
boricanroots
#3
A Puerto Rican Christmas is something I can't wait to experience! In learning about the Puerto Rican culture, I became fascinated by the traditions and the importance family plays. One day...
Gary
#4
The best time of the year here on the island!
Here in "EL Campo" we already started the season. From now on there are going to be many parties to go with great company and wonderful food.
¡Felicidades!
ReyP
#5
An a lot of sleepless nights, either from attending the parties, people bringing parandas to your house, or the people next door. :D

A month and a half of more noise and festivities.

My one complain, is that I put on a pound a day when I am in PR this time of the year. :dumbom:
Rey

PS. Very hard to say no to all that food and coquito.
Gary
#6

ReyP wrote:

Very hard to say no to all that food and coquito.


I know all about it :whistle:

Schuttzie
#7
Happy festivities!
just limin
#8
Has anyone (Rey) got a coquito recipe to share?
Gary
#9
it's basically coconut milk and condensed milk (2:1) couple of egg yolks, vanilla, cinnamon and rum. Moonshine rum is better, if you use store bought rum get Don Q. :)
boricanroots
#10
Here is the link to a good recipe.

Coquito Puertorriqueño
ReyP
#11
Email me a few glasses so I can tell you if good
Schuttzie
#12
Oh, my, that sounds very rich~
Gary
#13
I already tested coquito made by my daughter. Not bad although it could use a little more rum. :D
ReyP
#14
More rum is always good, what is the point if you don't get a good buzz from it?
just limin
#15
Thanks for the recipes.  We're looking forward to making some for the holidays.  I loved the bottles the woman in the video had.  What kind of containers do you folks store it in?  Empty mayonnaise jars?  Orange Juice or milk bottles?  I'd like to give some as a gift and am trying to think of an appropriate container for it.
Gary
#16
Empty rum bottles. :D
Gary
#17
Or traditional coquito bottles: http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-Coquito-Bottl … 1605423081
just limin
#18
Duh!  Well of course.  I should have thought of that.  Thanks Gary.  The brain's on Christmas season overload.
Gary
#19
If you want to use empty rum bottles you will have to find a good use for part of the rum to get enough empty bottles for the coquito.
Cuba libre and piña colada are always  good choices but you can do more with it: http://www.delish.com/cooking/g185/rum-recipes/
ReyP
#20
Like Gary said, it is easy to get rum bottles for the coquito, just drink more rum!

Check the people you know, they may have a few empties or you can help them finish up the bottle.

Since rum is alcohol, you can use it on cuts, if you are sick it will help kill the germs, or at least the germs will be bomb out of their mind so they wond bother you until they are over their hangup.
Dora787
#21
Just Limon, They sell the bottles for Coquito in Supermax.  My understanding is that authentic Puerto Rican Coquito doesn't have eggs....although it seems some people do use eggs. I prefer it without eggs.
Here are some recipes without egg.

http://donq.com/recipes/coquito/

http://www.goya.com/english/recipes/coq … nut-eggnog
ReyP
#22
I agree with you Dora, I like the original better with no eggs, but those used to egg nog will probably use the egg recipe.
tonie064
#23
Hi Just Limin,

      Hope your coquito making is going good. You can also find coquito bottles in most supermarkets and some bargain stores for just $1.00 or so. Some are very festive with the PR flag on it, etc.

Good luck with your coquito making and Feliz Navidad!!!



Tonie
just limin
#24
Thanks everyone.  We haven't begun making the coquito yet, but it's on our list to be ready by Christmas Eve.  We are not in Puerto Rico yet, so no Supermax, Dora.  I actually think it will be more fun to make at home than buying pre-made.  All the recipes sound wonderful and I've saved them all.  Since I live in an area heavily populated by folks from Latin America, there are bound to be some stores that sell coquito bottles.  I'll hunt around or ask my neighbors for ideas.  There's always Amazon Prime.  You've all been very helpful.
frogrock
#25
Every morning at 5:30 AM, for the ten days before December 25, my local church has a service called an aguinaldo.  About 100 folks show up every morning.  There is a mass with live music (guitars, etc) and joyful singing.  Afterward there is a breakfast.  This morning  there was also a band after the service, with two cuatros,  an accordian, gurro, base guitar and singers. 
Last Sunday there was a Caminata in my neighborhood, which was another name for a parranda with walkers and golf carts.  We went from place to place, singing, dancing and some drinking.  Tonight is a golf cart parade and in January is a horse parade with a Three Kings theme.
Schuttzie
#26
That sounds like a lot of fun, Frogrock.  Happy Holidays!
ReyP
#27
Church organizations are very active in PR during the holidays, PR is mostly a Christian island since the Spanish discovery.
I am sure there are other religions now, but the numbers are low.

To us is about family, friends, and the faith. The January 6 date is the one that is more comercialized, but it is still mistly about family, friends, and faith.

Unfortunatly due to the shortness of funds a lot of workers are not getting they bonuses this year. So some kids may not have as many presents. However a lot of times the church steps in and helps out the poor.

Besides celebrating the holidays, make sure you also celebrate life, we are not spring chickens anymore.
Rey
Schuttzie
#28
Agreed, Rey, always celebrate life :)
ReyP
#29
So guys any parrandas yet?
Have you visited any Town celebrations?
Have you gone to the town square and seen the decorations?
Have you learned any Aguinaldos (Carols)?
How you like the holidays in PR?
frogrock
#30
Had pitorro for the first time today, at neighborhood party.   Yesterday Penny and Dean helped me decorate my golf cart for the parade.  There were about one hundred golf carts and of course, a party at the end of the parade.
Gary
#31
I heard a couple of parandas in the area. :)
We've been to a couple of parties, I ate the first pasteles of the season (and they were good!) and had some different coquitos. One, made with moonshine rum was really good.
boricanroots
#32
I love it...a golf cart parade! Sounds like lots of fun.
ReyP
#33
I am glad you are are having fun.
For those new to the island it must be weird not being cold, no white christmas, going to the beach and getting a suntan during the holidays.
I plan for next christmas, may visit a lot of you and I expect some good food and lots of rum.
Gary
#34

ReyP wrote:

For those new to the island it must be weird not being cold, no white christmas, going to the beach and getting a suntan during the holidays


It didn't take me long to get used to that. In my second year I went back to Holland for Xmas and I didn't know how fast I could back to PR. Now I hated winters all my life and every now and then  I'm wondering why I didn't move to the tropics earlier. :D

ReyP
#35
For the last 43 years in winter, fall, and Spring, I ask my wife the same question every day: "Honey, have I ever told you I Hate Winter?"
Im MA it does not get decently warm until July and that ends in late September.
Gary
#36
It's time you get your donkey over here, Rey! :D
ReyP
#37
Well it looks like the government started yesterday the process of paying the Christmas Bonus to all government employees. This is good news for the kids as they will have some gifts. I also read that people are purchasing cheaper gift, I guess that means less electronics and jewelry under the tree and shoe boxes.

It's going to be some lean holidays in PR but that will bring even more of the spirit out and family togetherness.

If you can, donate for the children, if you know a poor family donate a Pernil for the family.
Rey

PS. I just saw an ad for Pernil (Fresh Ham/ Pork Shoulder) at 75 cents a pound at Amigos, not sure what the usual price is but that looks cheap to me. Peril is very traditional for the holidays!!!!
Recipe: http://elboricua.com/pernil_RChef.html
Recipe: http://www.food.com/recipe/pernil-puert … der-115565
Best if after the pernil has all the spices in the holes, you place it in the refrigerator for a couple of days to let it absorb the spices before you bake it.
Thanks
Gary
#38

ReyP wrote:

PS. I just saw an ad for Pernil (Fresh Ham/ Pork Shoulder) at 75 cents a pound at Amigos, not sure what the usual price is but that looks cheap to me. Peril is very traditional for the holidays!!!!


That's a real good price although Econo has it even cheaper this year at 68 ct/lb. The normal price is close to $2/lb. We're going to buy one  or two. Our Christmas eve dinner with the family will be pernil and ensalada de papas (potato salad)

ReyP
#39
Here is a PR related site I recommend everyone checks out.
http://elboricua.com

It has some very interesting articles like the one about the Taino indians http://elboricua.com/history.html
The one about the Jibaros / Sort of PR hill billy: http://elboricua.com/jibaro.html
Puerto Rican 101 http://elboricua.com/PuertoRican101.html
The one about the holidays in PR http://elboricua.com/pr_christmas.html
Many other articles including some recipes you will probably like
melendezki
#40

frogrock wrote:

Every morning at 5:30 AM, for the ten days before December 25, my local church has a service called an aguinaldo.  About 100 folks show up every morning.  There is a mass with live music (guitars, etc) and joyful singing.  Afterward there is a breakfast.  This morning  there was also a band after the service, with two cuatros,  an accordian, gurro, base guitar and singers. 
Last Sunday there was a Caminata in my neighborhood, which was another name for a parranda with walkers and golf carts.  We went from place to place, singing, dancing and some drinking.  Tonight is a golf cart parade and in January is a horse parade with a Three Kings theme.


This is my first year as a resident of PR, as opposed to a visiting vacationer.  I think I am going to be in "spectator mode" this season, because I am still learning the language and customs.  There are two large churches at the bottom of our mountain, and I think they are on the same schedule as what you describe.  It certainly sounds joyful (and loud).  I think I will be ready for it next year and maybe participate.  I will have all year to get ready :)   

I have been greeted by diminishing piles of coquito bottles at our local National hardware store too. 

Happy Holidays to all you Expats here on the island (and also those that have moved on from PR) and Happy New Year!

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